Tourism Management

The Degree

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

The Outlook

Tourism management is the largest industry in the world. Today's travelers demand quality experiences, and this heightened demand requires a higher level of professionalism from those in the tourism industry.

The diversity of tourism careers includes:

Event/Festival Management

Group Tour Management

Outdoor/Adventure Tourism

Historical Tourism

The tourism management program at Finger Lakes Community College is designed to prepare you for an exciting marketing or management career in this growing industry.

The Program

The A.A.S. tourism management degree program is designed with an emphasis on the development of entry-level skills for managerial positions in:

Destination Marketing Organizations

Convention Services

Convention Centers

Meeting/Planning

Event Management

Commercial and Public Attractions

Chambers of Commerce

Wineries

While enrolled in the program, you will develop the skills and aptitudes necessary to succeed in the tourism industry through the application of authentic case studies and group projects.

Awards: The tourism management program at FLCC received the Edward Allen Tourism Award as an outstanding tourism program in New York State. The New York State Travel and Vacation Association, in bestowing the award, cited the tourism management program at FLCC as "the most appropriate preparation for students seeking careers in the tourism industry." The New York State Division of Tourism recognized FLCC's faculty as outstanding tourism educators.

Online Learning

FLCC's online learning offers you a flexible and convenient way to reach your educational goals. With this option, you can pursue your A.A.S. in Tourism Management completely online. Learn more about FLCC online learning.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

Identify sense of place attributes that contribute to creating destination for visitorship.

Employ knowledge of event management components and their centrality to tourism businesses.

Identify the collective importance of the individual components that comprise the tourism industry.

Identify the components that contribute to the unique aspects of tourism as a business.

Identify and analyze data trends (domestic as well as international) in the tourism industry.

Model professional decorum and behavior.

The Experience

Opportunities in the tourism management program are greatly available.

Internships: Internships have been arranged through:

The Seneca Park Zoo

Strong Museum

The Canandaigua Lady

Geneva Chamber of Commerce

Seneca Falls Urban Cultural Park

Yates County Chamber of Commerce

Finger Lakes Tourism

The Niagara Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Greater Rochester Visitors Association

Glenora Wine Cellars

Finger Lakes Visitors Connection

American Automobile Association

Field Work: While enrolled in the tourism management program, you will have an opportunity to participate in field-based courses. These courses require study and involvement in authentic destination planning, marketing, and management. Authentic destinations and case studies are utilized. Concepts included are historic preservation, municipal tourism planning, sustainable tourism, and the balance of tourism development with residents' quality of life. You will have opportunities to attend seminars conducted by tourism professionals, which will teach you the latest trends in the tourism industry.

The Graduates

Graduates of the program have transferred on to complete baccalaureate degrees in tourism, marketing, public relations, and communications at four-year institutions such as:

Rochester Institute of Technology

SUNY College at Brockport

SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome

St. John Fisher College

Niagara University

Central Florida University

The University of Arizona

Purdue University

Clemson University

Careers: Graduates of the program have gone on to fill positions such as:

The Scholarships

As a Tourism Management student, if you meet specific award criteria, you will be eligible for the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection, Ontario County, NY Scholarship. For information on this scholarship, contact the FLCC Foundation.

The Faculty

Faculty members in the tourism management degree program hold master's degrees and are responsible for authoring and implementing this award-winning degree program. They were also responsible for the establishment of the Walt Disney World College Program at FLCC. This landmark program was the first destination tourism associate degree program offered by a community college in New York State.

FLCC faculty members are recognized by the State University of New York as sabbatical scholars for study of the New York State Urban Cultural Park System. In addition, they have been named Chancellor Award winners for excellence in teaching. They are active members of the local tourism industry and have extensive experience visiting and analyzing model destinations across the United States and Canada.